Toy.



PATENTED SEPT. 19, 1905.

L. I. DARBY.

TOY.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 24, 1905.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

5 INVENTOR'. Bay-1 Ill'gb;

ATTORNEY PATBNTED SEPT. 19, 1905.

L. I. DARBY.

TOY.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 24. 1905.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

INVENTOR. Lam lmaiy;

, JAW- SATTORN Y WITNESSES: z 4 9 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 19, 1905.

Application filed January 24:, 1905. Serial No. 242,462.

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, LEVI I. DARBY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Newark, in

the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Toys; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and usethe same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part ,of this specification.

- This invention has reference to improvements in mechanical toys designed for the amusement of children; and the invention has for its principal object the production of a cheap and simply-constructed toy comprising a reversible stand provided with side frames which form suitable guiding devices upon which may be placed a shaft or spindle having thereon one or more figures in imitation of.

acrobatic performers, or other suitably shaped and designed figures may be employed, the said guides or runways being arranged in such a manner that the shaft or spindle and the figure or figures thereon will receive a rotary and reciprocatory motion from the upper to the lower portion of the stand, and vice versa, when the stand is reversed.

Other objects of this invention not at this time more particularly mentioned will be clearly evident from the following detailed description of the same. I

With the various objects of my present invention in view the same consists in the novel toy hereinafter set forth; and, furthermore, this invention consists in the various arrangements and combinations of parts, as well as in the details of the construction of the same, all of which will be more fully described in the following specification and then finally embodied in the clauses of the claim, which are appended to and which form an essential part of this specification.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side view of a toy, showing one embodiment of the principles of this invention; and Fig. 2 is a top view of the same.

drawings.

but still embodying the principles of this invention. Fig. 6 is a top or plan view of the same; and Fig. 7 is a transverse section of the toy, said section being taken on line 7 7 in said Fig. 5. Fig. 8 is an end view of one of the foot or end pieces of the frame or stand of the toy represented in said Fig. 5.

Similar characters of reference are employed in the above-described views to indicate corresponding parts.

Referring now to the said drawings, the reference character 1 indicates the complete toy, the same comprising a pair of side frames 2 and 3, of'sheet metal or any other suitable material. The said side frames 2 and 3 are provided at their upper marginal and preferably beaded edges 4 and 5 with the inwardly extending end pieces or members 6 and 7, which project at right angles, or approximately so, from each edge 4 and 5, as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, said side frames 2 and 3 being also provided at their lower marginal and preferably beaded edges 8 and 9 with the inwardly-extending end pieces or members 10 and 11, projecting at right angles, or approximately so, from each edge 8 and 9, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 3 of the Referring now to the said Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings, it will be seen that the said upper pair of end pieces or members 6 and 7 are made to overlap each other and that the said lower pair of end pieces or members 10 and 11 likewise overlap each other, the said overlapping members 6 and 7 being secured together by means of rivets 12 and the said overlapping members 10 and 11 being secured together by means of rivets 13 substantially in the manner illustrated; but of course it will be understood that any other suitable fastening devices may be employed, if desired, to produce a strong and rigid frame for the toy. The said side frames 2 and 3 are made with peculiarly-shaped openings, preferably of a zigzag configuration, as shown, the same forming suitable guides or runways 14: and 15, which incline downwardly, but in opposite directions, and are connected at their respective ends by means of the preferably larger open parts 16, whereby a continuous guide or runway of a zigzag form is provided in each side frame 2 and 3 of the toy, as will be clearly evident. From an inspection of Fig. 1 it will be seen that the said side frames 2 and 3 may be provided with short receiving portions 17 and 18 at the upper and lower end portions, respectively, of the zigzag shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings.

guides or runways for the purposes to be presently described. Rotatively arranged within the said guides or runways of the respective side frames 2 and 3 is a shaft or spindle 19, bearing upon its end portions, which project beyond the said guides or runways, acrobatic or other suitably-shaped figures 20 and 21, as shown in said Figs. 1, 2, and 3 of the drawings. preferably is provided with suitably-shaped washers 22, usually in the form of eyelets, which are slipped or otherwise secured upon the shaft or spindle 19 in positions between the inner faces of the said side frames 2 and 3 and prevent lateral displacement of the said shaft or spindle and its parts while rolling down along the inclined surfaces of the said guides or runways, as will be clearly understood from an inspection of Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings.

In the modified form of toy shown in Figs. 5 to 8, inclusive, the same consists of a pair of ends or foot-pieces 23 and 24, preferably of a LI-shaped configuration represented more particularly in Fig. 8 of the drawings, each end or foot-piece having an inclined edge 25 and a receiving-opening 26, as shown in Fig. 5. The guides or runways in this construction are made from suitably-bent wires 27 and 28, arranged substantially in the manner shown, their respective end portions 29 extending along the faces of the side members of the respective ends or foot-pieces 23 and 24 and having the bent portions 30 secured in place by means of suitable lugs 31, forced from the sides of the said ends or foot-pieces and secured around the bent portions 30, substantially as indicated in dotted outline in said Fig. 5 of the drawings. Thus it will be seen that the said inclined edges 25 and the bent portions of the wires 27 and 28 provide zig' zag guides or runways similar to and for the same purposes as the guides or runways specified in connection with the construction of the toy shown in said Fig. 1 of the drawings. In the form of toy illustrated in said Fig. 5 the shaft or spindle 32 is provided with acentrallydisposed figure, as 33, the ends of the shaft or spindle having arranged thereon suitable guiding buttons or stops 34, substantially as The operations and movements of the shaft andvthe figure or figures thereon will be clearly understood from an inspection of Figs. 1 and 5 of the drawings, the shaft or spindle rolling down the upper runway in one direction and then down the next lower runway in an opposite direction, thus alternating in its rolling movements until arriving at the end of the lowest runway and finally locating in the receiving portion at the end of said runway, in which it remains at rest until the toy is reversed, thus changing the sequence of the parts and whereby the shaft and its figure or figures at once proceeds to roll in the same The said shaft or spindle 19 may and a manner from the reversed upper raceway to the lowest raceway.

From the foregoing description of my invention it will be seen that I have devised a simply and cheaply constructed toy in which the movements of the acrobatic figure or figures are life-like and which will afford great amusement for the children.

I am aware that changes may be made in the arrangements and combinations of the various parts, as well as in the details of the construction of the same, without departing from the scope of my present invention. Hence I do not limit my invention to the exact arrangements and combinations of the parts as described in the foregoing specification and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, nor do I confine myself to the exact details of the construction of the said parts.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. In a toy, a pair of side frames having openings therein which form runways, a shaft or spindle having its end portions extending into and in rolling engagement with the runways in said side frames, and a figure fixed on said shaft or spindle, said figure rotating with said shaft or spindle, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. In a toy, a pair of side frames having openings therein which form runways, a shaft or spindle having its end portions extending into and in rolling engagement with the runways in said side frames, a figure fixed on said shaft or spindle, said figure rotating with said shaft or spindle, and means on said shaft or spindle to prevent lateral displacement of the same, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

3. In a toy, a pair of side frames having openings formed with downwardly-inclined edges extending in opposite directions, said openings providing thereby zigzag runways, a shaft or spindle having its end portions extending into and in rolling engagement with the runways in said side frames, and a figure fixed on said shaft or spindle, said figure rotating with said shaft or spindle, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

I. In a toy, a pair of side frames having openings formed with downwardly-inclined edges extending in opposite directions, said openings providing thereby zigzag runways, a shaft or spindle having its end portions extending into and in rolling engagement with the runways in said side frames, a figure fixed on said shaft or spindle, said figure rotating with said shaft or spindle, and means on said shaft or spindle to prevent lateral displacement of the same, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

5. In a toy, a pair of side frames having openings formed with downwardly-inclined edges extending in opposite directions, said openings providing thereby zigzag runways,

a shaft or spindle having its end portions extending into and in rolling engagement with the runways in said side frames, a figure fixed on said shaft or spindle, said figure rotating with said shaft or spindle, and a pair of eyelets on said shaft or spindle to prevent lateral displacement of the same, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

6. A toy comprising a reversible frame having zigzag runways, a shaft or spindle having portions extending into and in rolling engagement with said runways, a figure fixed on said shaft or spindle, said figure rotating with said shaft or spindle, and a pair of eyelets on said shaft or spindle to prevent lateral displacement of the same, substantially as and for the purposes set forth. p

7. A toy comprising a reversible frame having zigzag runways, and a receiving portion at the upper and lower end portions of said runways, a shaft or spindle having portions extending into and in rolling engagement with said runways and receiving portions, afigure on said shaft or spindle, and means on said shaft or spindle to prevent lateral displacement of the same, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

8. A toy comprising a reversible frame having zigzag runways, and a receiving portion at the upper and lower end portions of said runways, a shaft or spindle having portions extending into and in rolling engagement with said runways and receiving portions, a figure on said shaft or spindle, and a pair of eyelets on said shaft or spindle to prevent lateral displacement of the same, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

9. In a toy, a pair of side frames having openings therein, which form runways, end portions extending inwardly and at right angles from the upper and lower ends of said side frames, means for securing each upper and lower pair of overlapping end portions together, a shaft or spindle having its end portions extending into and in rolling engagement with the runways in said side frames, and a figure on said shaft or spindle, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

10. In a toy, a pair of side frames having openings therein, which form runways, end portions extending inwardly and at right angles from the upper and lower ends of said side frames, means for securing each upper and lower pair of overlapping end portions together, a shaft or spindle having its end portions extending into and in rolling engagement with the runways in said side frames, a figure on said shaft or spindle, and means on said shaft or spindle to prevent lateral displacement of the same, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

, 11. In a toy, a pair of side frames having openings therein, which form runways, end portions extending inwardly and at right angles'from the upper and lower ends of said side frames, means for securing each upper and lower pair of overlapping end portions together, a shaft or spindle having its end portions extending into and in rolling engagement with the runways in said side frames, a figure on said shaft or spindle, and a pair of eyelets on said shaft or spindle to prevent lateral displacement of the same, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

12. In a toy, a pair of side frames having openings formed with downwardly-inclined edges extending in opposite directions, said openings providing thereby zigzag runways, perforated end portions extending inwardly and at right angles from the upper and lower ends of said side frames, a rivet in the perforations of each upper and lower pair and overlapping end portions for securing said end portions together, a shaft or spindle having its end portions extending into and in rolling engagement with the runways in said side frames, and a figure on said shaft or spindle, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

13. In a toy, a pair of side frames, having openings formed with downwardly-inclined edges extending in opposite directions, said openings providing thereby zigzag runways, perforated end portions extending inwardly and at right angles from the upper and lower ends of said side frames, a rivet in the perforations of each upper and lower pair and overlapping end portions for securing said end portions together, a shaft or spindle having its end portions extending into and in rolling engagement with the runways in said side frames, a figure on said shaft or spindle, and

means on said shaft or spindle to prevent lateral displacement of the same, substantially as and for thepurposes set forth.

14. In a toy, a pair of side frames having openings formed with downwardly-inclined edges extending in opposite directions, said openings providing thereby zigzag runways, perforated end portions extending inwardly and at right angles from the upper and lower ends of said side frames, a rivet in the perforations of each upper and lower pair and overlapping end portions for securing said end portions together, a shaft or spindle having its end portions extending into and in rolling engagement with the runways in said side frames, a figure on said shaft or spindle, and a pair of eyelets on said shaft or spindle to prevent displacement of the same, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

In testimony that I claim the invention set forth above I have hereunto set my hand this 20th day of January, 1905.

LEVI I. DARBY.

Witnesses:

FREDK. G. FRAENTZEL, GEO. D. RICHARDS. 

